Big Bear Holds off Laguna 29-26

Laguna squandered two possessions deep in Big Bear territory early in the contest last Friday , and the missed opportunities proved costly in the narrow loss to defending D-12 champion Big Bear at Guyer Field.

Laguna controlled the game early from the opening kickoff going 80 yards in 12 plays scoring on an Andrew Johnson to Sean Nolan pass play. A bad snap cost the extra point. After holding Big Bear on five plays, the visitors muffed a punt attempt giving Laguna a first down on the Bear 27-yard line. Breakers were unable to gain a yard in four tries, turning the ball over.

Breakers held the Bears on downs and took the ball over on the Big Bear 32 for another great chance early in the second quarter. Laguna drove to the 12 but failed to score, turning the ball back to the visitors. The Bears woke up after that with their very effective option attack, scoring on a 10-running play drive and a surprise two point conversion play to take an 8-6 lead. They came right back after executing an on-sides kick to go 33 yards in four plays to make it 15-6 just before halftime. Laguna was down 22-6 in the middle of the third period before they rallied to make it a game.

This Friday, Laguna hosts Dana Hills for their first varsity meeting since 1989. From 1972-89, the two schools met 18 times with Laguna holding a 9-8-1 series edge. The Dolphins hold a sizable enrollment edge with over 2,500 students, while Laguna stands at just under 1,100 enrollment. Dana is 2-1 on the season losing 19-17 to Los Amigos and beating Lincoln/Los Angeles 46-10, and winless Saddleback 41-0.

2018 Game #2 vs. Big Bear – Statistics

Shane Lythgoe stretches for another yard. He gained 100 yards on 20 carried and caught three passes for 31 yards against Big Bear. Photo by Lisa Fields

L – Nolan 27 pass from Johnson (bad snap) 5:22 1st Q

B – Dominque 9 run (Javorsky pass from Martinez) 4:07 2nd Q

B – Jett 2 run (Cruz kick) 2:06 2nd Q

B – Dominque 13 run (Cruz kick) 4:28 3rd Q

Sean Nolan with a score verses Big Bear. The senior has scored five touchdowns so far this year and is the seventh all-time Laguna scorer in 84 seasons. Photo by Lisa Fields

Andrew Johnson and Coach John Shanahan talking it over against Big Bear last Friday night. Photo by Lisa Fields

L – Nolan 10 pass from Johnson (pass failed) 0:36 3rd Q

L – Crawford 22 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 7:13 4th Q

B – Dominque 14 run (Cruz kick) 4:02 4th Q

L – Nolan 20 pass from Johnson (Handel kick) 0:13 4th Q

Rushing: Lythgoe 20-100, Harper 1-1, Johnson 6-0

Receiving:Nolan 12-146, Crawford 1-22, Harper 1-9, Lythgoe 3-31, Diver 1-24

Passing: Johnson 34-18-0 232 yards 4 TDs 149.1 rating

Lining up for the kickoff with Big Bear, (from left) #11 Curran Hendricksen, #3 Dominic Calabrese, #16 Trevor Tyler, #45 Noah Haymond and #30 Nick Joseph. Photo by Lisa Fields

Interception Returns: none

Punt Returns: Nolan 2-13

Kick Off Returns: Nolan 2-25, Diver 1-26

Punts: none

Kick Offs: Handel 4, 3 touchbacks, Nolan 1-0

In the trenches, #56 Calob Molstajo, #59 Matt Gallegos and #64 Hunter Davis in action versus Big Bear. Photo by Lisa Fields